Image: Photo: Rachel Claire / Pexels.
Why has no research into excessive alcohol consumption for the Northern Beaches been undertaken since 2017? Health statistics reveal a fifth of people living on the peninsula are risky drinkers and consuming more than two standardised drinks a day.’
The excessive use of alcohol has had a profound impact on the lives of many people in the Northern Beaches.
Dee Why Bowling Club’s Venue Manager Edward Sturgiss says, ‘cultural identity with Australian values, social stigma for not drinking or drinking too little, and social pressure” are the causes of this increase.’
Curl Curl ward Councillor, Krisytn Glanville says, “I think part of it is a lack of other night activities that don’t involve alcohol. We have lost a lot of options, Manly used to have a cinema, and the live music scene has died,” when asked why overconsumption is persistent.
Bayview, Warriewood, Mona Vale and Elanora Heights are the most dangerous suburbs, with 25 percent of people over the age of 15 years overindulging in alcohol; a staggering 9 percent increase to the state average of 16 percent.
Northern Sydney Local Health District Drug and Alcohol Emergency Department data from 2014/15 shows that the two most high-risk age groups are those 15-19 years, and 35-54 years.
This has also led to the Northern Beaches having the second highest proportion of alcohol-related domestic violence incidents in Sydney. Over the past decade, alcohol was involved in 42 percent of the reported domestic violence assaults in more affluent areas, which is closely linked to the LGAs socio-economic affluence.
There are also alarming statistics of driving under the influence. The Northern Beaches recorded 455 drink driving incidents in 2022, up from 341 incidents in 2021. A particular concern has been raised about Manly where the hospitalisations due to alcohol consumption stands at 60.5 percent higher than the New South Wales average, of 1,134 per 100,000 (1.134%) attending hospital.
Over half of the women (59 percent) in the target groups, confirmed that they were aware that they were drinking more than they should. However, comments from participants about ‘living in the now,’ and the likes of, “you don’t feel like it is going to kill you right now” were made, suggesting that even though they are aware of the risks, they are still inclined to drink.
Women reportedly in the high-risk category were found to be largely influenced by their peers, with 62 percent of them finding it difficult not to drink when others did.
A total of 81 percent of respondents reported that all gatherings they had attended had alcohol present.
You May Also Like
